“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.
It's tempting, but popping or squeezing a pimple won't necessarily get rid of the problem. Squeezing can push bacteria and pus deeper into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. Squeezing also can lead to scabs and might leave you with permanent pits or scars.
Poke, pick, prick, and prod a pimple, and you can force the debris and bacteria even deeper into your skin. You may also introduce new kinds of bacteria from your finger into the zit. That can cause the pimple to become more red, inflamed, swollen and infected, and may even lead to permanent scarring.
Don't press down on the zit; try to get underneath it so that the pus comes to the surface instead of going farther down into the pore or ruptures out of the pore into the deeper tissues of your skin. And, don't scratch or gouge the skin because this leads to scarring.
Dermatologists advice against popping pimples. It can lead to infection and scarring. Popping a pimple can cause infection and scarring, and it may make the pimple more inflamed and noticeable. It also delays the natural healing process.
Simply avoiding touching your face won't cure your acne, and it can cause other problems. If you are touching your face, you are more likely to feel those little bumps and be tempted to pick at them.
“Not really”, says Lauren Taglia, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Northwestern Medicine. “But if you must pop, wait until the pimple has been around a few days and has developed a white head, indicating there is pus near the surface. Avoid popping new pimples or those that are red or sore,” she advises.
The other half of the pus gets sucked inside since you're putting pressure when you release. It just stays there. You can't get it out anymore because it's inflamed and irritated. That's why pimples come back on the same spot, sometimes bigger than the one before it.”
Acne, one of the most common skin disorders, peaks in adolescence and early adulthood, affecting around 85% of people between the ages of 12 and 24.
This method only works for pimples with large, obvious whiteheads that are close to the skin surface: Wash your hands well with soap and water. Sanitize a needle or pin with rubbing alcohol. Gently prick the very top of the whitehead with the tip of the needle.
Avoid picking or squeezing the popped breakout to let your skin heal naturally. If you notice any signs of potential infection like redness, increased pain, pus, or inflammation surrounding the blemish, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
Both zit and pimple refer to the same thing: a small, red, swollen spot (or “inflamed elevation,” if you're fancy) on the skin. Zit is generally considered an informal or slangy synonym of pimple, which itself is less formal, medically speaking, than either papule or pustule.
Your body can gradually break down pus and reabsorb its components. That's why small accumulations of pus (like in a pimple) often don't need treatment.
Using a cloth or tissue, keep pressure on the blemish. After one to two minutes, the bleeding should stop. Try not to touch the open wound with your bare fingers. Body oils and dirt might make matters worse and prevent the pimple from going away as quickly as it should.
Pustules: These are pus-filled pimples that look like whiteheads surrounded by discolored rings. Picking or scratching your pustules can cause scarring. Cysts: These are pimples filled with a thick, yellow or white fluid composed of dead white blood cells, small pieces of tissue and bacteria (pus).
Not only that, popping your pimples can keep them around for longer. “True acne pimples do not need to be 'popped' and will heal faster if they are left alone,” she adds. There's one exception to the rule: While you shouldn't try to burst your blemishes, a dermatologist may help.
Acne discharge: Acne pus is made up of dead white blood cells that fight invading bacteria. The drainage, which includes pus mixed with blood, debris, and bacteria, oozes out when acne is punctured. The more the contents in the acne, the more it may smell.
If you do nothing, your body will naturally burst the hair follicle, which unclogs the pore where the pimple was. But we know waiting is the hardest part, so keep reading for some tips for speeding up the process—without doing extra damage.
Chin acne typically arises when pores around the chin become blocked with excess oil, dead skin cells, or daily grime. This blockage creates an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive, leading to inflammation and the formation of pimples or cysts in the chin area.
"Sometimes when you remove contents from the skin and the skin is a little bit floppy, it can make noises," Lee explains in the episode.
Acne is a common issue for many people, especially for teenagers and young adults in their 20s. Some have mild symptoms, while others can have very severe issues. Acne effects around 90% of adolescents with the prime age across all genders being the teenage years of 14-19 years old.
Increased water intake often leads to improved skin clarity and reduced acne severity. Many people report fewer breakouts and a more even skin tone after consistently increasing their water consumption. Hydrated skin may appear plumper and healthier, making existing acne less noticeable.
People cannot remove pimples overnight, but home care can lessen swelling and may improve the appearance of pimples. Keeping the area clean, using ice, and hot compresses can help. For persistent or recurring pimples, people may wish to try acne treatments.